WASHINGTON - Over the next 15 years, North Korea and Iran are likely to develop missiles potentially capable of killing millions of Americans, the CIA said Thursday.

The CIA rated Iran's prospect of developing an ICBM by 2015 as "probable".

These emerging missile forces "potentially can kill tens of thousands, or even millions, of Americans," depending on their accuracy and whether they are armed with nuclear, chemical or biological warheads, it said.

The CIA report said short-range ballistic missiles, such as Iran's Shahab-3 and North Korea's No Dong, pose an "immediate, serious and growing threat to U.S. forces, interests and allies" in the Middle East and Asia. Those missiles do not have the range to reach U.S. soil.

The report also said the countries developing ballistic missiles also are probably working on "countermeasures," or ways of enabling their missiles to overcome U.S. defenses.
 
 

Canada Will Not Sell Nuclear Fusion Program to Iran, Reuters, September 9

OTTAWA - Canada said Thursday it had blocked a plan to sell its experimental nuclear fusion program to Iran because it feared Tehran might be able to use the technology to obtain atomic weapons.

The decision did not come as a surprise. When the idea of selling the program was floated in July, Ottawa said it would look very closely at any proposed transfer of such technology to Iran, which U.S. officials fear is trying to acquire nuclear arms.
 
 

"Nothing Has Changed" Since Khatami, Times Of London, September 7

The dapper businessman leaving the synagogue in Shiraz was friendly but jittery. He did not want to talk about the arrest of 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel. Their impending trial could be Iran's most important since the 1979 Revolution. "I don't follow politics," he said.

But he was keen to convey something before he disappeared down the leafy street. "It's getting bad for us here," he whispered. "Were the arrests politically motivated?" we asked. "It's up to you to put two and two together," he said…

Tehran has rejected suggestions that the 13 "were scapegoated because of factional politics" and insists their arrests have nothing to do with their religion. But it is difficult to find any Iranian who believes the 13 are guilty of passing military secrets to Israel.

There had been high hopes that these concerns would have been addressed when Mr. Khatami was elected… two years ago.

"But nothing has changed," said a dealer in car spare parts…
 
 

U.S. Studies Religious Persecution, Associated Press, September 9

WASHINGTON - A State Department report Thursday pointed to evidence of widespread religious persecution in… Iran.

The report said Iran is intent on eradicating the Baha'is through prolonged detention and imprisonment, confiscation and desecration of graveyards and holy places. It added that other religious minorities in Iran also suffer.
 
 

Iran Students Seek Inquiry Into Tabriz Violence, Reuters, September 8

TEHRAN - An Iranian student group has demanded an investigation into violent attacks by hardliners on pro-democracy student protesters in northwestern Iran in July, newspapers reported on Wednesday.

The Office to Foster Unity called on the Supreme National Security Council, Iran's top security body, to identify and punish those behind the attack.

Student leaders have said hardline vigilantes in the northwestern city of Tabriz attacked a peaceful student rally in support of Tehran students who had been set upon by police.

Many Tabriz students were stripped naked, blindfolded and badly beaten, the Office to Foster Unity said in a letter, adding that the Tabriz University chancellor was also assaulted.

"After firing directly at the students, they (the vigilantes) didn't even show any mercy towards the wounded, attacking hospital wards and dragging out the injured," the letter said.

Senior Iranian officials, including Mohammad Khatami, have denied firearms were used against protesters during the unrest.
 

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